This will be an opportunity for us to
learn about the project, but also to raise concerns
about the lack of study of transit options.
- DeWain Feller, Chairman, Rochester Rail Transit Committee

Sorry about the last minute nature of this announcement, but there will be a public informational meeting tomorrow, Thursday Dec 17, 7 PM in the Kate Gleason Auditorium of the Central Library. The meeting notice describes this as being about the Broad Street Tunnel Improvement Project. This is probably regarding the light rehabilitation of the portion of the tunnel from Main to Exchange, and possibly includes the fill of the northern section of the tunnel from Main to Brown.

The city had promised that transit options would be studied, however, the recently-completed Broad Street study focused almost exclusively on canal options. No transit planners were included on the study team, and no analysis was conducted of transit options for Broad Street. RRTC specifically requested that short-term options be studied, however no analysis was conducted, and the study report makes no mention of short-term transit or historic subway options.

The study report recommends a canal option that leaves no room for a functional transit line. Furthermore, the report repeats the myth that prior transit studies concluded that rail transit is not feasible in Rochester.

Keep in mind that this meeting is not about the larger Broad Street study, but rather the interim measure of making modest repairs to the tunnel. However, this meeting does give us an opportunity to raise concerns about the lack of city planning for transit options for the tunnel.